Fine Art Chat

Progression

We all come into this world, a miracle from God, or however you choose to believe.  I have never encountered anyone, in my life, who has not, at least, attempted to create some kind of art.  There is a universal  calling within all of us to create.  Perhaps, and this is my belief, because we are created from the Creator and it is in our spirit to do the same, at some  "level".  There's another word with more than one meaning, for this purpose  "a relative ranking" as in a level of understanding.  My children have all created art.  When they created art, at their level, they were artists, showing skill as they were progressing through life.  As they grew older, most of them ceased to create traditional art, and some of them went on to be artists with their voice, in modeling, computer skills taken to an artistic level, etc. and some are not artists at all.  One remained in the traditional arts and continues to progress.  Progress, meaning, "moving forward, advancement, development or improvement". Are we not all here to progress?

Art Knowledge

In order to advance or improve in any human endeavor, knowledge is required.  Specialized knowledge is the foundation from which you can build.  As fine artists we are not exempt from this necessity.  It is this type of knowledge that allows you to take advantage and learn from all those who have gone before.  It is this type of knowledge that allows you to add to, or at the very least, not to reinvent the wheel.  Specialized knowledge of the tools, materials and techniques allows you to develop skill.  Knowledge and skill gives you the freedom to be creative.  You can be creative in the use of your tools, and materials as well as your art. Your skill in doing this defines you as an artist.  What other elements come into play in defining a fine artist?

The "Fine" in Fine Artist

The reasons why fine art is subjective are numerous.  After all, art is in the eye of the beholder.  Almost anyone can do a painting, drawing or sculpture and call it art, and in fact it is.  Perhaps the definition or distinction lies in the word "fine".  "Fine" has several definitions, but the one that applies to art is "of exceptional quality, superior,admirable, excellent, magnificent".  Fine art then falls into at least two categories.  One category defines the type of art from a physical standpoint.  Another category defines the attributes, as in exceptional quality.  We have already discovered, by definition, to be an artist requires skill.  Skill would definitely be a necessary element in creating exceptional quality.  Exceptional is defined as "extraordinary, phenomenal, unprecedented, remarkable, superior".  When you apply these adjectives to fine art by the actual definitions, a fog seems to lift.  Subjective opinion begins to
have a direction.  As a fine artist it would seem to me that you would want to be associated with the definitions that describe your pursuit.  Do you have any other interpretations or modifications to these thoughts?

Qualifications of an Artist

To be called an artist in any capacity, skill seems to be the pervasive adjective that is required.  You can be an artist in the kitchen, the operating room or in the studio, as examples.  Is there a separation or a distinction between a fine artist versus other artists?  Creativity is not exclusive to fine artists.  As an artist in the kitchen you can be skilled in the preparation of various dishes.  You can be creative in the presentation of those dishes or in developing new recipes or variations of existing recipes.  As a surgeon you can be an artist with your skills, as in plastic surgeons. Depending on your specialty, it is not as likely that you would be creative in certain medical areas, as you would need to follow strict medical protocol.  Clearly, a fine artist is someone who uses the creative process, with skill, to create two dimensional and three dimensional works of art. 

Fine Art and the Creative Process

In the process of attempting to define fine art you come headlong into the "creative process".  Is the creative process and fine art synonymous?  According to the dictionary, create is "to bring about".  Creative is "the use of the imagination or inventiveness."  Art is "any craft requiring skill".  An artist is "one who is skilled and particularly, with a sense of style".  Fine art is visual in both two dimensional and three dimensional forms.  Also, by definition, an artist in any application would be referring to someone who is skilled.  Skill is akin to "expertness, deftness, competence".  Skillful is akin to "qualified, accomplished, masterful, practiced, trained".  If you accept these definitions, then being a fine artist takes on a responsibility which is part of any profession where others have expectations as to certain abilities or qualifications.  Again, if you accept the definition of both create and creative it does not seem possible to do a fine art work without the creative process.

Art is Subjective

Art is subjective and there in lies the difficulty and the beauty.  As an example, the summer olympics have top athletes from all over the world.  All of these athletes are judged by very specific criteria.  However, some win or rise to the top by absolutes such as the fastest time, furthest distance or the highest score.  All other athletes must compete under very specific criteria but judges determine how well they performed, that is subjective.  When it comes to fine art the criteria is much more difficult to define.  The subjective view point is way more liberal, to say the least.  There is a freedom in the lack of criteria by which to qualify.  There can be a beauty in individual expression.  All of human evolution is built upon those who have gone before.  As in the olympics, new world records are set, training methods are improved, equipment is advanced.  Everywhere you look advancements are being made.  Knowledge, skill and invention build on each other in nearly every human endeavor.  When it comes to fine art, are there disciplines or building blocks on which to evolve?  Is there a responsibility to improve? 

What defines fine art?

How do you define fine art?  Fine art as I have come to know it falls into two broad categories, two dimensional---various types of paintings and drawings, and three dimensional---various forms of sculpture.  From here the debates are vast as to what ingredients qualify a work as a true fine art creation.  In many walks of life and in almost all products there are definable elements and specific criteria to establish identity.  Let me further complicate what I consider to be a bit of a dilemma.  In the process of arriving at a definition for fine art, what is the definition of a fine artist?  I have worked intently for many years as a sculptor.  What defines or qualifies me.... is it my creations, my perseverance, or some other set of criteria?  Is there a definitive description or definition for one or both, the art and the artist?  Let me know your thoughts and we can perhaps arrive at an answer.